Corrosion of reinforced concrete is the most challenging durability problem that threatens reinforced concrete structures, especially structures that are subject to severe environmental conditions (i.e., Highway Bridges, Marine structures, etc.). Corrosion of reinforcing steel leads to cracking and spalling of the concrete cover and billions of dollars are spent every year on repairing such damaged structures. New types of reinforcements have been developed in order to avoid these high cost repairs. Thus it is important to study the corrosion behavior of these new types of reinforcements and compare them to the traditional carbon steel reinforcements.<p> This study aimed at characterizing the corrosion behavior of three competing reinforcing steels; conventional carbon steel, micro-composite steel (MMFX-2) and 316LN stainless steel, through experiments in carbonated and non-carbonated concrete exposed to chloride-laden environments. Synthetic pore water solutions have been used to simulate both cases of sound and carbonated concrete under chloride ions attack. A three electrode corrosion cell is used for determining the corrosion characteristics and rates. Multiple electrochemical techniques were applied using a Gamry PC4 potentiostat manufactured by GAMRY INSTRUMENTS. DC corrosion measurements were applied on samples subjected to fixed chloride concentration in the solution. EIS measurements were applied on samples subjected to incremental chloride additions. Furthermore, carbon steel rebars embedded in concrete samples pre-contaminated with chloride ions added to the mix will be used to relate corrosion rates inside concrete to those obtained from synthetic solutions and to measure moisture content inside concrete using a nondestructive TDR-based technique.

Corrosion of reinforced concrete is the most challenging durability problem that threatens reinforced concrete structures, especially structures that are subject to severe environmental conditions (i.e., Highway Bridges, Marine structures, etc.). Corrosion of reinforcing steel leads to cracking and spalling of the concrete cover and billions of dollars are spent every year on repairing such damaged structures. New types of reinforcements have been developed in order to avoid these high cost repairs. Thus it is important to study the corrosion behavior of these new types of reinforcements and compare them to the traditional carbon steel reinforcements.<p> This study aimed at characterizing the corrosion behavior of three competing reinforcing steels; conventional carbon steel, micro-composite steel (MMFX-2) and 316LN stainless steel, through experiments in carbonated and non-carbonated concrete exposed to chloride-laden environments. Synthetic pore water solutions have been used to simulate both cases of sound and carbonated concrete under chloride ions attack. A three electrode corrosion cell is used for determining the corrosion characteristics and rates. Multiple electrochemical techniques were applied using a Gamry PC4 potentiostat manufactured by GAMRY INSTRUMENTS. DC corrosion measurements were applied on samples subjected to fixed chloride concentration in the solution. EIS measurements were applied on samples subjected to incremental chloride additions. Furthermore, carbon steel rebars embedded in concrete samples pre-contaminated with chloride ions added to the mix will be used to relate corrosion rates inside concrete to those obtained from synthetic solutions and to measure moisture content inside concrete using a nondestructive TDR-based technique.